Fossil unveils its most Tech-Packed Touchscreen Smartwatch to date

It is with great excitement that Fossil brand announces its fourth generation of smartwatches under its Fossil Q line. With several new technology features, this new line provides consumers with the tech functionality they have been asking for in beautiful designs and styles they have come to expect from Fossil. With a robust list of new features, it is the brand’s intent to provide customers with one all-inclusive device—both in function and design.

As one of the first fashion brands to introduce this level of technology to their collection, Fossil shows consumers you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for function. Powered with WearOS by Google and the Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 2100 Platform, the new devices offer enhancements to every facet of the day, with hardware including Heart-Rate Tracking, NFC, Untethered GPS and Swim-proof Functionality. Thanks to optimized charge time, users can now charge their device within an hour to last all day.

Fossil entered the smartwatch market to fill the growing desire for tech that was beautifully designed and could be personalized. This new generation is no different: it is packed with the unique design traits allowing users to customize from strap to dial. There are 36+ exclusive dials, from fashion forward to novelty dials, and users can integrate an increasing number of third party apps to their device experience, as well as set social media photos as watch face backgrounds. Fossil is continuing to design smartwatches as only Fossil can, with a vintage-inspired approach to modern technology that lets customers find a watch that perfectly suits their authentic selves.

“Since our entry to the smartwatch market, it has always been our first priority to be nimble and adapt quickly to innovations-both in technology and design’’ says Steve Evans, EVP of Fossil. We know a lot of watch wearers have both a traditional watch and some kind of an activity tracker— by adding significant features in terms of technology, without compromising our design standards, this new generation of smartwatch will provide consumers with one device that fits all of their needs. Ensuring the best possible experience for our customers has always been important, which drove the innovation of this product; we cannot wait to see the consumer response around the globe.’’

Called Fossil Q Venture HR and Fossil Q Explorist HR, these devices can transition through all parts of daily life thanks to added functionality packed into fashionable designs. This new generation of smartwatches ushers in a more holistic user experience from a Fossil smartwatch with key features and personalization options that consumers care about.

Key updates:

Heart-Rate Tracking:

Heart rate functionality was an important ask from consumers and a top priority for the Generation 4 Fossil Q line. Additionally, Fossil wanted to create exclusive watch dials that allowed users to easily access manual readings directly from their watch face. Whether going for a run outside or hitting the gym, you can automatically track your heart rate during logged exercises with Google Fit.

Take a manual heart rate reading and automatically track heart rate across multiple types of workouts using Google Fit

Heart rate graphs show progress throughout a large variety of workouts and improves workout tracking experience

Exclusive-to-Fossil dials have heart rate integrated into the designs, showing users their beats per minute on their watch face at a quick glance

NFC

NFC allows users to have payment and transit capabilities directly on their device. Exclusively compatible with Google Pay (currently not available in Singapore), NFC prevents users from having to pull out their card every time they need to complete a transaction. With a few taps, your card is ready on watch to streamline any checkout experience. Security is an obvious consideration, and users set up a unique lock code on their watch to help protect from any identity or data theft.

Untethered GPS

New untethered GPS capabilities allow the users track walks, and runs, hikes, bike rides, and more via Google Fit and third party fitness apps without having to bring your phone along. Your watch will automatically map and track your location and distance during logged workouts!

Thanks to added swim-proof functionality, users can track swim workouts, hang poolside or hop in the shower without risk of damaging their smartwatch. For consumers ready to hit the trails for a run or ride without taking their phone, music can be downloaded from third party apps directly to device.

With this new generation of watch, Fossil is bringing a unique, fun take on technology. With function-based dials, social sharing abilities and an immense amount of personalization opportunities, these watches truly allow users to “Make it Your Own.” The added functions like Heart Rate, NFC, and GPS will give users a 360 holistic way to track all parts of their lives, while keeping true to the authentic creative spirit of innovative watch design that Fossil was founded on more than 30 years ago.

A New Time: Fossil announces its latest Celebrity Ambassadors

Fossil brand is excited to debut its newest advertising campaign and celebrity cast members. The campaign will launch in early August, and feature all of Fossil’s product categories—including smartwatches, traditional watches, handbags, jewelry and more. At its core, Fossil is comprised of passionate, entrepreneurial creatives who have been tasked to dream up everything from novelty watches to tins, with creativity firmly at the heart of everything the brand does. The spirit of creativity and innovation has differentiated Fossil brand since its launch, and is the same spirit that inspires our campaign today.

At a pivotal moment in the watch and retail industry, Fossil brand has asked itself what made us different at our inception and examined those answers through a modern lens to inspire a new generation of watch-wearers and watch designs. We welcome a new era of modern vintage, packed with an uplifting authentic style. The past inspires us and the future motivates us, and through this brilliant cast and campaign we hope to bring those values to life.

‘’When deciding who to cast for our upcoming campaign we kept coming back to the attributes that make up our very DNA: an optimistic attitude, dedication to authenticity and, of course, creative spirit,’’ said Steve Evans, EVP of Fossil brand. ‘At Fossil we believe that what you make time for defines who you are—our cast and campaign embody that brand ethos, and exemplify how intentional time helps achieve both professional and personal happiness. There is an optimistic spirit reflected in this campaign and we are thrilled to have found a group of creatives that celebrate these values throughout their endeavors.’’

Fossil has long explored the importance of time, and how being intentional with how you spend it can positively impact all aspects of your life. This cast all has a unique relationship with time: whether it’s taking risks, using time to continuously develop their passions, or recognizing the importance of taking time for meaningful personal connections. The cast, featuring actors Mandy Moore and KJ Apa, marks the beginning of an exciting new era for both Fossil brand and its community, with a new vibrancy and spirit to re-energize today’s audience. Rising singer/songwriter Izzy Bizu and New York City artist Darryl Westly will be joining Moore and Apa as cast members as well.

“We are launching what might be our most exciting campaign yet for Fossil brand, one that is all about celebrating authentic individuals,” Evans said. “Our focus on authenticity is not only rooted in our people, but also our products—we want to continue to create watches, leather goods, wearables and more that represent our growing Fossil family and their unique individual style and spirit.”

Moore, a Grammy® and Golden Globe® nominated actress, singer and songwriter, is an exciting addition to the cast list. She recently launched production on season three of the critically acclaimed NBC show “This Is Us.” This role has earned Moore a Golden Globe Award nomination while the show received acclaim with a Screen Actors Guild Award win and multiple Emmy nominations, Golden Globe nominations, TCA Award nominations and Critics’ Choice Award nominations. The show was also recognized by The Television Academy Honors. Since skyrocketing to fame in 1999 with the release of her debut album, “So Real,” the singer and actress has released critically-acclaimed albums and starred in a diverse lineup of films, including the cult-classics “A Walk to Remember” and “Saved”, the Disney-animated Rapunzel retelling, “Tangled” and the upcoming young-adult thriller “The Darkest Minds.” She will soon begin production on the WWII film, “Midway.” Both on and off screen, Moore’s warm personality and authentic-to-self representation has made her a beloved and trusted public figure—elements that are ingrained in Fossil brand’s identity.

Apa currently stars as Archie Andrews, an all-American boy trying to balance the ups and downs of high school, in the CW’s hit series “Riverdale,” based on the beloved Archie comics. Originally from New Zealand, Apa recently wrapped a lead role on 20th Century Fox film “The Hate U Give” opposite Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Anthony Mackie, Common and Issa Rae. He is currently starring in the feature film “The Last Summer” opposite Maia Mitchell and Jacob Latimore. Apa’s charisma and fun-loving personality have quickly elevated the young actor to success but also kept him grounded. Watch wearers will love Apa’s young, refreshing dial designed for the new generation, while also enjoying his—and Fossil’s—genuine vintage feel.

Bizu, London-based singer-songwriter, draws on musical influences from her childhood, such as Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown, as well as current artists like Adele to fuel her sound. The result is a cross-genre fusion of soul, jazz, and pop. Since her 2013 debut, the musician has received strong support on BBC radio stations and has supported artists’ UK tours, such as Coldplay and Sam Smith. Bizu’s classic-yet-entirely-new sound perfectly harmonizes with Fossil’s modern vintage style.

The final cast member, Darryl Westly, is a New York-based artist and curator whose paintings experiment with hyperrealism, architectural elements and visual layering to create disruptive portraits of contemporary western culture. While studying with the Pratt Institute Sculpture Program and The Cooper Union, he worked under popular American artist Jeff Koons. His work features everyday life filtered through a brightly-colored lens, creating an uplifting take on commonplace moments that perfectly illustrates Fossil’s celebration of creativity and its optimistic nature.

Each of the cast members’ creative styles exude Fossil in how they appreciate the classic, while looking toward the future. Fossil brand is excited to see how watch wearers are re-energized and able to engage with the cast.